Camila Ramos, a civil rights activist, endured a rough encounter as she was dragged across the floor, slammed against a sign, and shoved by multiple law enforcement officers during a heated session of the Miami-Dade Commission on Thursday. The session was centered around the controversial agreement between county jails and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Unfolding Chaos
The turmoil began when Commission President Anthony Rodriguez warned attendees that public comments would not be allowed if the issue was brought up for a future vote. Camila Ramos, 36, was already near the podium and sought clarification on this decision. A plainclothes officer instructed her to remain silent, but she refused, insisting, “I just need to be heard. I have a right to understand this process.” The response from the officers was swift and aggressive.
Several sheriff's deputies intervened, forcibly dragging her through the room, which resulted in her colliding with a sign and being pushed onto the lobby floor. She continued to shout, “Let me go! Stop! I just want to ask a question!” while being recorded by attendees' cameras and phones. Some attendees who attempted to follow the officers were also forcibly removed and, in some cases, handcuffed.
An Already Tense Atmosphere
The session had begun with an already charged atmosphere. The meeting at the Stephen P. Clark Center was focused on resolution 11A, proposing that county jails hold immigrants for up to 48 hours at ICE's request, with a fee of $50 paid by the federal government per detainee. Although portrayed as a technical modification, the proposal deepened a collaboration that has been controversial since its inception during Donald Trump's administration.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava had previously signed the agreement, sparking criticism from organizations and activists. “This is not a political choice, but a legal imposition,” Cava explained to the commissioners, although her clarification failed to pacify those who viewed this move as a threat to transparency and due process.
Civil rights groups fear that such measures could facilitate the “administrative disappearance” of detained migrants, making it more difficult for families or lawyers to locate them within the prison system.
Arrests and Public Outcry
After her arrest, Camila Ramos was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest with violence, according to court documents. Authorities claim she struck an officer in the face during the scuffle. Another individual, Z. Spicer, 25, was also arrested for attempting to intervene and was charged with non-violent resistance to arrest.
The incident sparked immediate reactions both inside and outside the venue. A candlelight vigil was held in front of the Federal Detention Center hours later, where activists and community members denounced the repression and humiliating treatment of Ramos. “This is for all those who essentially find themselves voiceless because they have been detained by ICE,” expressed one protester.
Responses and Condemnations
The impact of the incident led commissioners to reconsider their stance and reopen the floor for public comments, although the agreement's modification was postponed indefinitely. Activist Dian Alarcón, who was present, remarked, “I’ve come here many times and never witnessed anything like this. It's a way to silence us.”
Local government voices also weighed in. Commissioner René García asserted that “the people have a right to the First Amendment,” while cautioning that “in this political climate, there will always be agitators from both parties.” Commissioner Roberto González noted that the agreement had already been signed in March under legal obligation, and that formalizing the reimbursement mechanism was all that remained.
Expanding Legal Framework Beyond the County
This episode highlights the implications of a widening network of immigration policies in Florida, where the federal program 287(g) allows local forces to work directly with ICE without judicial warrants. Organizations like the Immigrant Legal Resource Center warn that this fosters a systematic detention and deportation network, endangering the fundamental rights of millions.
In this context, what happened to Camila Ramos is not an isolated event. It reflects a deep conflict between an increasingly rigid immigration institution and the exercise of basic civil rights. As her lawyer summarized, “It was an egregious, arbitrary, and clearly intimidating act of censorship against a citizen attempting to exercise her rights in a public space.”
Key Questions on Miami-Dade ICE Agreement Incident
What led to Camila Ramos' arrest during the Miami-Dade meeting?
Camila Ramos was arrested after seeking clarification during a Miami-Dade Commission meeting and refusing to stay silent. Her arrest involved a forceful encounter with officers, as seen in attendee-captured footage.
What is the significance of the ICE agreement discussed at the meeting?
The ICE agreement allows county jails to detain immigrants for up to 48 hours at ICE's request, with a federal fee per detainee. It is seen as a contentious deepening of cooperation between local authorities and ICE.
How did the community respond to the incident involving Camila Ramos?
The community reacted strongly, organizing a vigil and denouncing the harsh treatment of Ramos as repression. The incident also led to a reconsideration of public commentary rights by the commissioners.